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Post by beckyminor on Apr 28, 2012 14:37:13 GMT -5
Hey Anomaliens! I've been kicking an idea around for a few weeks, and it seems like it may be gaining some traction, that is if I can manage to follow-through and get the rubber to meet the road, so to speak. Anyway, those of you who know me from facebook and my blogs have probably already heard that I am brainstorming on organizing a live event that would bring together people of faith who love science fiction and fantasy, whether books, movies, art, or whatever. I'm blogging an intro to the idea at faithandfantasycon.wordpress.com, which I invite you to go take a look at and share your thoughts. I'd be thrilled if any of you have ideas or efforts to contribute. It seems like the idea is growing all of the sudden, so I'm pretty excited about the level of interest. If you think to spare a prayer or two for my ability to delegate and make it happen, that would be great too. I'm very interested in your feedback as well. Please don't hesitate to throw in your two cents. (And feel free to play devil's advocate/naysayer as well.) Thanks friends!
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Post by j2starshine on Apr 29, 2012 22:59:22 GMT -5
Hey, just so you know, I've been thinking about it, but haven't commented yet I think it is a cool idea. More later
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Post by mldonovan on May 2, 2012 12:54:18 GMT -5
I think this would be awesome. I don't know that I could participate, due to financial limitations, but if it became an annual thing, I probably could do it the next time! Lynn
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Post by beckyminor on May 2, 2012 13:24:54 GMT -5
Thanks, J2 and Lynn. Obviously, a lot of logistics need to be fussed with for now, but I will keep people updated.
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Post by yoda47 on May 2, 2012 15:23:42 GMT -5
I'm very interested... and sadly very broke....
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Post by newburydave on May 2, 2012 22:09:10 GMT -5
Sounds good, but New England is awfully far from the sunny southwest or even the northwest. Maybe if I start making good royalties from somewhere... But don't mind me, by all means get this going. Considering the interest boom in fantasy and Science Fiction I think you'll be on the cusp of the next move in the Sf marketplace. SGD dave
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Post by Kessie on May 3, 2012 9:33:45 GMT -5
I've offered my advice on Facebook, but mostly it comes down to, start small. Start local. Advertise and get bigger each year. I've seen numerous cons start out that way. Anybody in the videogame forum remember when PAX got started, and now they're bigger than E3?
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Post by j2starshine on May 3, 2012 10:09:35 GMT -5
Okay, I had some time and posted a comment on the post but I'll post it here too. In the middle of the comment I had this brainwave so anyways..
There’s always the possibility that once it does get bigger it could be featured once a year in a different city. what if…we create kind of fantasy faith con in which it becomes an umbrella organizations wherein would have material etc for local chapters to put it on in their own state? The idea is huge and we don’t quite know our numbers yet, but if you have a committee not necessarily located in Philadelphia but its headquarters could be, then they (I’d say we, cause I would love to help plan something like but we are still in the seed phase) could develop the mission statement and all that jazz. start it in Philadelphia but we could also have do small things in other cities until we get big like the ACFW conference and then we just combine our meeting and pick a different state. Hawaii anyone? Ha just kidding, sort of….does that make sense? Right now we are all spread out all over the state and if there’s a grassroot movement going on in one state, its harder for the rest of us to get on board with something that we most likely won’t enjoy right away. Can we form partnerships with small presses like Marcher Lord Press etc? On the flip side, this all costs money but there are always ways…very cool idea though!
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Post by dragonlots on May 3, 2012 11:30:28 GMT -5
Here are my thoughts.
1. FYI. The Mayans did not take in account leap years, so the date of Earth's supposed destruction passed about six months ago. This is not common knowledge but it is true.
2. Depends on where. One must remember the dates you are proposing you'd be running the risk of being snowed out or the participants being snowed in, if a blizzard or major snow storm hit. Folks would Not be very happy. They want to be home for Christmas with their family.
We had this happen at MileHiCon in 1997. Most of us were there on Friday but many didn't get back until Sunday due to a blizzard. We jokingly call it 'Donner Con' because the hotel almost ran out of food and none of other food places were open.
3. What about an online convention? Coyote con did this a few years back and it was very successful or maybe it because they didn't charge anything. However, it would allow folks to virtually attend and not worry about expenses like a hotel, food, airfare, etc.
4. I strongly suggest if you want an 'in person' con, that you pick a summer date but don't conflict with DragonCon in Atlanta or WorldCon in Chicago (2012) or San Antonio (2013).
5. I don't know if you've volunteered or help run a con, but it's a big, huge job. I'm a veteran of helping run the art shows and even helped, a little, when we had WorldCon in Denver. Because I'm in the circuit, I know a lot of what goes on in the background.
Be sure you know what you're getting into before you get this started!
Things to consider -
Will the volunteers, and cons run on volunteers, be able to do all the work or will you be forced to hire union people? Both for set up and tear down.
You will need people for registration, the art show, dealers room, to pick author guests up at the airport and return them in time for their flights, security, con suite, filking, gaming, children's programming, participants for panels - and will their memberships be free or discounted? - someone to handle hotel management and be their main contact person. An advertising/marketing person. And probably more that I'm not aware of.
You will also need to arrange a discount for X number of rooms with the hotel. Does the hotel have free parking or do they charge for it? Can you negotiate a discount rate if they do for con attendees?
Have someone scout the area for fast food, and other eateries. Preferably cheap places since Fen want inexpensive and within walking distance of the hotel. Don't just depend on the hotel to provide food since normally it's extremely expensive and not always good.
Public transportation? Is this available for locals or for those staying at other hotels?
What else might they want to do while they're in the area? This is why I strongly recommend a summer convention.
Will small presses attend and allow pitch sessions?
Will there be fan tables for clubs, authors and musicians? And don't forget to have a flyer table so people can advertise their books, leave freebies, flyers for upcoming cons, etc.
You'll need to set up autographs sessions and author readings, both for individual writers and for antho collections.
I will also tell you from experience, that is already too late to plan a convention for 2012.
It will take at least a year to get the con staff together, arrange everything, invite guests, advertise you Con not just on the Anomaly, but also have flyers or people to represent the Con at various other SF cons, including World Con, World Fantasy Con and DragonCon. You also need to get it posted on SF sites or magazines who feature Con listings. Include independent bookstores.
Tap into the talent, like me, who have experience doing this type of thing or access to those who have done this in the past.
If you had this Con in Denver or Colorado Springs, I can put you in contact with the person who has ownership of the art show panels. That will be huge savings compared to having to build your own. Not to mention the talent pool I can draw from.
I know I've thrown a ton of information at you. But I wanted you to know what you're getting into and how much work it really is. Not to mention cost. Be prepared to lose money.
Also, don't just limit this to Christian Speculative. Invite big names from SF, Fantasy and Horror, regardless of their beliefs. They're a draw and you want people to attend. Our mission should be to infiltrate local SF chapters, not be separate from them.
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Post by dragonlots on May 3, 2012 12:47:26 GMT -5
A few things I'm going to add that I forgot about.
You'll also need a video & anime room.
How much will you charge for tables in the dealer room?
How much will the panels & tables be in the art show? Don't forget that artists get paid and the art show only takes a percentage of the profits.
Will the fan tables be free or have a small fee attached to them?
Will authors be allowed to sell their own books? Or will they have to go through their publisher, if they attend or a book dealer in the dearlers room?
FYI - many author and artist appearances are booked at least two years in advance, That's something you'll have to take into consideration when inviting guests.
You're also not want to conflict with any local convention nor any of the big world or regional ones. I listed a few previously but I'm going to include Ohio Valley Filk Fest, Comic Con in San Diego, Filk Ontario, GAFilk, NASFic ( 2014 probably since WC will probably be in London), NorWesCon, WesterCon (normally held around July 4th), NorEastCon, and World Horror Con.
Don't forget you'll have to put up a website and keep it updated as guests, events, programming, etc. are decided. Most cons put up the programming schedule about two weeks before hand when they know who will be attending and on what panels. The latter is all handled via email.
Ex. I have already received the 'request for programming suggestions' in April for MileHiCon. Sometime in June or July I'll get another one to sign up for panels. MHC is in October. I won't actually know what panels I'm on until I get the final list about a week before the programming list goes up. This is handled by the programming person.
Not to mention picking a moderator for each panel.
Communication by the programming person is very important. Last year, I didn't know I was one of the participating authors at CoSine. I would not have known if the Art Show Director, whom I'm friends with, said something to the Programming Director and the word was passed back to me. I had barely two weeks to prepare.
You'll need a good mix of panels ranging from reading the genre, writing & selling, etc. it. A really good con will have panels on comics, graphic novels, movies, TV Shows, Art, and anything else connected with the SF, F & H.
Will there be a costume contest? If so, a big presentation on Saturday evening? Hall contest for those too shy to get up on the stage? What will the prizes be?
Will there be a literary auction? If so, who will be it go to? This is commonly done at most cons.
What is the weapons policy? Will they be allowed? Have to peace bonded? Only allowed during the costume contest? Fake ones for hall costumes only? You'll also have to find out about local weapons laws before anything can be decided about this. Wouldn't want SWAT ruining the Con because some Mundane panicked and called 911 because there were folks running around the halls with real swords.
Will the SCA be invited and could they do demonstrations?
What are the food policies and what can actually be served in the Con suite? Very important to discuss this with the hotel so you don't violate health laws or they shut down you down. There are many Fen who depend on the Con Suite for food during a con because they don't have enough money to buy food.
For now, that's it. If I think of more later, I'll add it.
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Post by beckyminor on May 3, 2012 15:07:12 GMT -5
DL, I deeply appreciate your detailed response, and its the breadth of details you're mentioning that convince me that yes, the concept of starting something like this might be totally insane. I am typically an idea person, but what idea people like me need is an operations person who will say, "Yes, this is all lovely, dreamer-girl, but here's what we actually need to DO in order to make it work." Unless the Lord pairs me up with someone (or someones) who would be able to be the voice of experience, it is likely that I will struggle to get past the "wouldn't it be nice" stage.
I am going to take some time to pour over what you've posted and decide what answers I have to your points, which will be a big part of figuring out if it would be best to start virtual. Or maybe even just do a "mostly virtual" event where we have the dozen or so folks who could be in one place at one time working together on the virtual aspects. Clearly, it's one of those things I need to lock down and decide if anything will actually take place, because like you said, it takes a good year to plan anything large.
Again, thank you for your words of wisdom.
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Post by dragonlots on May 3, 2012 16:52:05 GMT -5
You're more than welcome, Becky.
Since I've been part of cons for years, I know much about what goes on.
I think a virtual option would be a great idea and much more workable than putting together a new con.
We've had someone do that locally without seeking guidance and although they pulled the con off, there were quite a number of problems. No, I won't go into detail.
I do strongly suggest changing the day IF you get to an actual physical con. Mainly because, people like me also like to vacation in the area. DH & I have done this with Conduit in Salt Lake City and Conquest in Kansas City. We didn't go just to attend the con.
New England in winter is just not any fun. I lived back there once so I know.
The con is a great idea. Keep plugging at it.
In Him, DL
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Post by Bainespal on May 3, 2012 19:17:07 GMT -5
I can't make any assumptions about what Mrs. Minor was envisioning for this planned convention, but I'm wondering if all the large-scale logistics are necessarily necessary for any con. Can't something be smaller (at least initially) and still be a con? Does there have to be a large variety of panels, costumes, art shows, etc.? Also, one thing the organizers of this event should consider is the exact role of faith in the Faith and Fantasy Con. I'm definitely not an advocate of separating fiction written by Christians from all fiction; if I had my way, there would be no "Christian fiction." On the other hand, things may be a little different when real people meet to discuss these things in real life. In a huge event in which secular publishers and speakers are present, would there be any significant discussion of the relationship of the fantastic to God? Finally, I must complain about this.... Can people please[/b] mark posts that contain spoilers? I'm disappointed. *facepalm*
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Post by Divides the Waters on May 3, 2012 19:53:04 GMT -5
Way cool idea!
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Post by beckyminor on May 4, 2012 8:19:14 GMT -5
I hope to be back here later today to address some of the thoughts that have been presented, but for now, all I have is a link to the latest blog post. faithandfantasycon.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/a-different-angle/I agree with DL that while a person might be able to pull something off, the fewer problems you can encounter by not blundering along, inexperienced, would be good. The concept I'm thinking about today may just address the concerns of being inexperienced as well as wanting to engage the world outside our little Christian Spec-fic crowd. If you have a chance to drop in and reflect, that would be awesome. Thanks guys, for all your wisdom!
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